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Pie of the Week: Meyer Lemon Chess Pie

Posted by Carrie Vasios Mullins, Feb 21, 2013

[Photograph: Carrie Vasios]

You can't get easier or more straight forward than Chess Pie. A combination of eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cornmeal is poured into a pie crust and baked. The result is a simple custard pie with a just-less-than-smooth texture and sweet flavor. It's a pantry staple pie and I'm sure it's saved more than one host or hostess in a dessert pinch.

Such a simple base recipe can be tweaked in any number of ways, but in the height of citrus season I think that the addition of floral Meyer lemons is the way to go. Adding lemon juice to the pie also dials back the sweetness, making this pie appropriate for people who prefer sweet-tart combinations (any Sour Patch Kid lovers out there?). A cloud of just whipped cream provides the perfect light, milky cap to the custardy pie.